The awards for the July 2024 PleinAir Salon Art Competition were announced on August 29th. The selections were made by judge, Michelle Dunaway. The overall and category winners will now be included in the judging for the 14th Annual PleinAir Salon Competition being awarded in May 2025.
FIRST PLACE
Mark Daly, The Schooner Stephen Taber
Oil, 24×18 in.
“I was struck instantly by the luminosity emanating from this painting. It captures a sense of realism and light that goes far beyond anything a camera could record. The artists sensitivity to color and color temperature in the sails coupled with the simplification of water, highlighting only the essential functional movement compliments the dynamic composition. This painting exudes an old master quality, I could see it hanging in a museum next to Winslow Homer or Turner and holding its own. The touch of red off center hits right where the smallest square and spiral of the golden mean would overlay which adds for a harmonious balance and movement to the painting. The technique and brushwork is subtle where it needs to be and powerful and bold in necessary areas. When a painting is executed so well that it makes me interested in a subject that I’m not normally drawn to it is a testament to the artists impressive skill”
SECOND PLACE
Hiroshi Hayakawa, Summer
Graphite, 16×17.5 in.
“This drawing shows both a mastery of skill coupled with a storytelling, emotive quality. It exudes a hint of narrative that draws the viewer in while simultaneously showcasing the unique beauty and characteristics of the subjects- the woman, her environment and the sea shell . All of the elements of this piece integrate into a moment of subtle movement and seeming stillness all at once. A successful portrait to me draws the viewer into the story, seeking to understand something of the subject in a particular moment in time. The work is both timeless and contemporary and the arrangement of value , her dark hair against the light of the clouds transitioning down to her white dress against the dark trees makes for a lovely atmospheric effect.”
THIRD PLACE
Maxwell Miller, The Journeyman
Oil, 9×14 in.
“A strongly designed arrangement of values is at the foundation of any successful painting, and the the way the artist orchestrated these elements as well as a limited punctuation of chroma creates a powerful design and tone to the piece. It is more than a self portrait depicting a likeness but a self portrait that encompassed many varied aspects of the subject from observing the studio elements presented throughout the painting. The triangular design of dark and light and color overlaying each other creates a powerful image that is compelling to look at. It is a self portrait that opens a doorway into a story of the person, which is to me the highest goal of any portrait.”
CATEGORY WINNERS
Each category award winner is now entered into the Annual Competition. Judges will review all the winners from the 14th Annual PleinAir Salon, and we will award over $25,000 at the Annual Competition held in May 2025.
CATEGORY HONORABLE MENTIONS
The category honorable mention recipients are eligible to re-enter their paintings into future competitions.
TOP 100 FINALISTS
Each month all the entries are reviewed and scored by a judge. The paintings with the highest scores become the Top 100 Finalists. (In the event of tied scores, there may be more than 100). The awards for the monthly competition are selected from this group of finalist.
Click here to view all the entrants to the July PleinAir Salon Art Competition.
